Author and literary events for the week of May 9, 2010

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading of Martha Ronk’s “Transfer of Qualities” by performers Barbara Keegan, Dian Kobayashi, Judy Marcelline, David St. James, Karen Teliha and Sally Shore. Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111. https://www.newshortfictionseries.com.

MONDAY

Isabel Allende: Aloud at Central Library presents the acclaimed author in conversation with novelist and poet Gioconda Belli on the subject of Allende’s new novel “Island Beneath the Sea.” Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A. 8 p.m. $17.50-$25. (213) 680-3700. https://www.aloudla.org.

Father Gregory Boyle: The founder of Homeboy Industries will discuss and sign his new book, “Tattoos on the Heart.” Glendale Public Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale. 7 p.m. Free. (818) 548-2042.

Robbie Conal: The L.A.-based “guerilla artist” will present and sign his new book, “Not Your Typical Political Animal.” Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Finalists for the Lambda Literary Awards: Authors James Morrison, Stacie Cassarino, Kathleen Bradean, Dexter Flowers, Ariel Schrag and Dayle A. Dermatis will read from their nominated work. Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Ana Maria Spagna: The author of “Test Ride on the Sunnyland Bus: A Daughter’s Civil Rights Journey” will read and sign her new memoir. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Phyllis Theroux: The author of “The Journal Keeper” will present and sign her new memoir. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Laura Bush: The former First Lady will sign her new memoir, “Spoken from the Heart.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 1 p.m. Free with purchase of “Heart.”. (626) 449-5320.

Josh Kun and Courtney Holt: A slideshow and discussion with Kun, author of “And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Our Vinyl: The Jewish Past as Told by the Records We Have Loved and Lost,” and Holt, president of MySpace Music; held in conjunction with the Skirball’s new exhibition “Jews on Vinyl.” Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $10; members free. (310) 440-4500.

Paul Provenza and Dan Dion: The director (“The Aristocrats”) and the photographer will present and sign their new book “Satiristas: Comedians, Contrarians, Raconteurs and Vulgarians.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Red Book Dialogues: Bill Viola & Beverley Zabriskie: The acclaimed video/installation artist will discuss the Hammer’s current exhibition “The Red Book of C.G. Jung” with Jungian analyst Zabriskie. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Brady Udall: The author of “The Lonely Polygamist” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Willy Vlautin: The author of “Lean On Pete” will read and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

James Gavin: The author of “Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne” will present and sign the new biography. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Justin Halpern: The author of “Sh*t My Dad Says” will present and sign his new book, a spin-off from his popular twitter feed. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Willy Vlautin: The author of “Lean on Pete” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Esther Watson: The author of “Unlovable” will present and sign volume two of her graphic novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

THURSDAY

Father Gregory Boyle: Aloud at Central Library presents Boyle, pastor of Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights, founder of Homeboy Industries and author of “Tattoos on the Heart: Stories of Hope and Compassion,” in conversation with journalist and author Celeste Fremon. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Edgar Arceneaux and Mario Ybarra Jr.: LACMA director Michael Govan will moderate a discussion with Arceneaux, director of the Watts House Project, and artist Ybarra, Jr., from whom LACMA has commissioned an artistic intervention at the site. Bing Theater at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6010.

Antwone Fisher: The author of “A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life” will present and sign his new book. Eso Won Books 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Sam Lipsyte: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author on the subject of his new novel, “The Ask.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Pete Nelson: The author of “I Though You Were Dead” will read and sign his new novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jane Smiley: The author of “Ten Days in the Hills” will read and sign her new novel, “Private Life.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Andrea Syrtash: The author of “He’s Just Not Your Type (and That’s a Good Thing): How to Find Love Where You Least Expect It” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Judith Tannenbaum and Spoon Jackson: The authors of “By Heart: Poetry, Prison and Two Lives” will present and sign their two-person memoir. Diesel Bookstore 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

FRIDAY

Dave Barry: The Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of, most recently, “I’ll Mature When I’m Dead: Dave Barry’s Amazing Tales of Adulthood” will discuss his work with author Jane Smiley (“A Private Life”). Reception with authors for VIP ticketholders precedes program at 6:30 p.m. Track 16 Gallery Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20-$95. (310) 264-4678. https://www.826LA.org.

Daniel Clowes: The creator of “Ghost World” will present and sign his new graphic novel, “Wilson.” Comedian Dana Gould moderates the Q&A. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Ian Graham: The author of “Unbillable Hours: A True Story” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Pam Grier: The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “Foxy: My Life in Three Acts.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Norman Ollestad: The author of “Crazy for the Storm” will read and sign his memoir. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Beth Ostrosky Stern: The author of “Oh My Dog: How to Choose, Train, Groom, Nurture, Feed and Care for Your New Best Friend” will present and sign her new book. Beverly Hills Public Library, 444 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 288-2244.

SATURDAY

Bryan Batt: The actor (“Mad Men”) will present and sign his new book, “She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother: A Memoir.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Thomas S. Hines: The Professor Emeritus of History and Architecture at UCLA will discuss and sign his new book, “Architecture of the Sun: Los Angeles Modernism, 1900-1970.” Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

David McConnell: The author of “The Silver Hearted” will read and sign his new novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jane Smiley: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author will read and sign her new novel “Private Life.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.